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Tara Ballard
- Female
- Clemmons, NC
- United States
- Read, Blog, Transform, Inspire
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- I AM BODY PROUD (25)
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Recent Activity
Tara Ballard commented on malachi smith's photo
Our backstage supporters - Karen and Kim!
Tara Ballard commented on malachi smith's photo
This is a beautiful pic of you both!
Tara Ballard commented on malachi smith's photo
yeah, I'll fit right in out there - lol!!! Miss you Malachi!
Tara Ballard replied to Jill Coleman's discussion 'FAME Carolinas - May 29, 2010 RESULTS'
This was by far the most fun I've had at a competition. The whole "Body Proud" mentality is so positive and encouraging - I love it. I met so many nice people at this event, and everything was so well-organized and ran super-smoothly!…
Maria Teresa Reinosa Jones left a comment for Tara Ballard
Sweet Tara;
Thank you and God Bless you!
Maria
Tara Ballard updated their profile photo
Tara Ballard updated their profile
Maria Teresa Reinosa Jones left a comment for Tara Ballard
Hi Gorgeous! Looking like the FABULOUS WINNER that you are! So tremendously proud and happy for you!
God Bless you ALWAYS,
Maria
Profile Information
- My Plug:
- Full-time, I am an Information Technology Consultant, mainly for law firms. But my true and absolute passion is fitness, and helping others to reach their fitness goals. I became a part-time Jillfit Personal Trainer almost a year ago, and it is the most rewarding job! I don't even like calling it a "job", because it's so much fun! Seeing transformation in my clients, both physically and mentally, is the greatest thing. I help others with contest prep, fat loss, strength & metabolic conditioning, etc...my clients range in age from early 20's to 60's! I love what I do!
- My BodyPROUD Story
- From Skinny and Tired to Strong and Stage-Ready at 40 years-old…
Mine is not the typical Success Story…I have always been “skinny”, so losing weight was not my problem. My issue was doing too much exercise! I used to think there wasn’t such a thing as too much exercise, but boy, was I wrong!
Up until January of 2009, I logged anywhere from 3 to 4.5 hours a day of cardio, at least 6 days a week – most of the time seven. I ran long distances, I taught fitness classes, I biked; you name it, I did it. A typical weekday in my life started at 3am and ended at 11pm. On weekends, it was more of the same with the exception of Sundays, which were usually long-run days where I would run anywhere from 10 to 20 miles.
While thin, I just couldn’t seem to achieve the muscle definition I desired. I didn’t get it – I mean, if I do 3+ hours of cardio every day and teach 5 PowerPump classes a week I should be getting ripped, right?? Not only was I not getting the results I wanted, but I was also plagued with nagging injuries (some serious) and had issues with inflammation. I felt “puffy” all the time. I was always exhausted, and every free moment I had was spent sleeping. I was sick quite frequently, and felt drained all the time.
As if the above workout schedule wasn’t bad enough, there was the issue of my diet. I was pretty much a total “carbivore.” Popcorn, bread, bagels, crackers….all staples in my diet. Protein and complex carbs? Not so much.
Late in 2009, I was introduced to an exercise and diet philosophy/program called Metabolic Effect (www.metaboliceffect.com) through who was to become my current trainer, Jill Coleman. I discussed with Jill how I just couldn’t seem to get the results I wanted. She reviewed my diet and workout logs and went to town. She explained my diet deficiencies and also told me that with all the exercise I was doing, my muscles had absolutely no chance of growing. I was in a vicious cycle of negative hormonal response to exercise, which caused me to hold on to fat and burn muscle like crazy.
Change is difficult though, and I took one look at the clean-eating diet Jill created for me and said, “there is NO way I can eat all this food and not blow up like a balloon! You want me to eat every 2.5 to 3 hours???? Where are my bagels? Don’t I need those? Sweet potatoes, seriously??” . But, I trusted her, so I stuck to the plan as much as possible. Much to my surprise, I started losing water weight quickly, and started seeing a hint of definition.
With my diet under control, there was still the issue of my insane workout regimen. Jill took me from doing long, steady-state cardio seven days a week, to doing 30 minute HIIT-style training four days a week. I also went from doing 60-minute “toning” classes to doing heavy weight training five days per week, 30 or so minutes per session.
After about six months of this routine, the transformation was pretty incredible. My body fat percentage dropped, while my lean muscle went up! I was amazed. Finally, I was seeing the muscle definition I had craved for so long!
I won’t lie – it was extremely difficult breaking the 4.5 hours/day cardio habit. I realize now that I was addicted to cardio. But after having worked out this way for over a year, I am happy to be a reformed Cardio Queen. I’ve gone from working out 4.5 hours a day, to about 5-6 hours per WEEK. And eating clean keeps my fat-burning engines rev’d and my energy levels high. I feel better, I look better, and I’m about to compete in my 6th Figure Competition! At 40, I am the fittest and healthiest I’ve ever been‼
- My Facts 'n Stats:
- I'm 40 years-old and live in NC. I love spending time working out and hanging with my boyfriend, Nick, and our menagerie of cats and dogs. I also enjoy volunteering for various animal rescue groups.
I'm an IT Consultant full-time, and a personal trainer part-time. I am passionate about sharing health and wellness with others, and helping them reach their fitness goals.
- My bodyPROUD Goals:
- Wow, what a great time FAME Carolinas was on 5/29/10. I met so many wonderful people including Kevin Friesen, Malachi Smith, Amy Barnes, Camille Finley, Amy Rozier, Emily Ballard Marshall, Adam Bramski, Ana Weaver-Heinz, and Beverly Browning...and it was great hanging with all my Jillfit buddies! This was my first FAME show, and I loved the vibe of it all - so very relaxed and friendly...not stressful in the least. It was like we were all family backstage...such a great atmosphere and POSITIVE environment. I can't wait to do another FAME show!
- My AHA Life Defining Moments:
- I believe that age is just a number; that you can do whatever you set your mind to. To me, being Body Proud means being fit, healthy and having a great mental attitude. It's not necessarily about having the best body, but more about feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin.
- My Transformation Triumphs!
- The first time I broke totally out of my comfort zone and walked on stage for my first figure competition at age 39. I NEVER thought I would have the confidence in myself to do that.
- My bodyPROUD Intentions:
- Increase My Confidence, Increase My Strength, Keep Me Young, Feel Better about Myself, Compete in Physique Showcase Events, Sculpt My Physique, Attain Proper Symmetry, Be an Inspiration to Others, Magazines, Sponsorship, Gain Exposure, Become an Athlete
- Life Advice that Helped Me:
- Don't let fear get in the way of your dreams! Also, never think you are "too old" to do something. I hear that everyday, "Oh, I'm too old to do THAT..." I'm a firm believer that age is merely a number; you are only as old as you feel, and being fit and active will help you feel like a 16 year-old no matter your biological age!
- Expressing Gratitude is a Key Ingredient to a Happy Life. I Am Grateful for:
- My family, my friends, my pets, my health!
- My Hero / Role Model / Trainer / Sponsor / Coach / Guru... and Why
- Jill Coleman, my trainer and friend, is my hero and role model. If it weren't for her guidance, patience, friendship, expertise, and encouragement, I would not be doing a lot of things I'm doing today. She helped me to break through barriers that had held me back from doing things I really longed to do, and she helped instill in me the confidence I needed to do them. She is not only an awesome trainer, but she is a wonderful person with a huge heart. And through her, I have met so many other great pele that I feel honored to call my friends. I believe that people are brought into our lives for a reason, and I know she was brought into mine at just the right time!
- Profession:
- Personal Trainer &/or Fitness Professional, Professional
- Check Me Out Online: (Facebook, Twitter, Truestar, LinkedIn, etc)
- runtararun.wordpress.com
- I learned about bodyPROUD.org from:
- Jill Coleman
Tara Ballard's Photos
Comment Wall (3 comments)
- At 6:19pm on June 6, 2010,
Maria Teresa Reinosa Jones said…
- Sweet Tara;
Thank you and God Bless you!
Maria
- At 10:03am on June 4, 2010,
Maria Teresa Reinosa Jones said…
- Hi Gorgeous! Looking like the FABULOUS WINNER that you are! So tremendously proud and happy for you!
God Bless you ALWAYS,
Maria
- At 12:30am on April 3, 2010,
malachi smith said… - http://www.bodyproud.org/forum/topics/body-proud-showcase
Hey there welcome to bodyproud! Saw that you may be interested in doing a physique showcase well there are many ways to do that depending on your goals! the above address is a good start if your unsure of your direction - Feel free to loosen up and tell us a little about yourself and WE as a tribe here can help nudge you in the right direction! Can ya dig it? Alright stay easy!
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